Max & Chloe's Hella Shitty Coffee (Life is Strange)

Chapter 15

Max had hardly had time to consider thanksgiving and suddenly it was upon her. It was her first thanksgiving away from home, a small wave of guilt hit her as she recalled her phone call with her parents only a few days ago. They had assumed Max would come home for the holiday, as had Max until Chloe had asked her to come back to Arcadia Bay with her. Her parents had been surprised by Max's last-minute cancellation but were of course understanding and had asked her to pass on their regards to Chloe and her family.

Max hadn't expected much from Joyce and David over thanksgiving considering it was so close to the anniversary of William's death, but David had assured them all at dinner that he would be preparing a feast for them all that would be worthy of royalty. Growing up, Max and Chloe's families had often put together a joint thanksgiving celebration that they would spend together. So, even though it wasn't their first thanksgiving together, spending the holiday with Chloe felt like it had more meaning or inference behind it now that their friendship was blossoming into something even more special. Max wasn't entirely sure what that 'something more special' was, she didn't want to freak Chloe out by coming off too strong too soon or put the pressure of a label on someone who had always been such a free spirit. What Max was sure of was that every second she was around Chloe, Max felt euphoric, and that there was no one else she would rather be around on this third Thursday of November.

Chloe's natural body clock had appeared to have slipped back into old habits while they had been away, Max watched Chloe with adoration in her heart as Chloe dreamt well into the late morning. Max felt the gentle buzz of her phone by her side and picked it up to see a happy thanksgiving message from Victoria.

Victoria: Happy thanksgiving Maxine! This year I'm thankful the university put you in the room opposite mine so get your butt back here ASAP xo

Max: Right back at you Victoria, see you in a couple of days 😊

Victoria: How has Chloe been? Xo

Max: She's ok considering, I think this trip has helped her heal.

Victoria: I don't suppose you have anything to do with that, do you Max? xo

Max: Maybe... 😉

Victoria: MAXINE... SPILL!

The next thing Max knew, Victoria was trying to video call her, she barely managed to decline it and explain that Chloe was asleep before Victoria tried to call again.

Victoria: Alright then. Keep your secrets. But you've got some explaining to do when you get back!

Max then returned to her knew favourite hobby – watching Chloe sleep. Chloe's mouth was wide open, and Max was sure she could see drool, somehow it only made Chloe appear more attractive to Max.

David had already started preparing Thanksgiving dinner by then. Every few minutes a loud clanging rang from the kitchen, followed by a "Darn it" or "Son of a-" or "Holy shit" in a thick drawl that could only be David. Joyce had retreated upstairs to her bedroom, letting David handle the stress to himself.

Eleven o'clock rolled around, and a particularly loud clang shook Chloe awake.

"Have you been watching me sleep all night?"

"Just the last few hours." Max shrugged. "You drool when you sleep, it's cute." Their bodies had been tucked closely all night, arms around each other in a warm embrace. Night time got cold in Oregon, amongst everything else Max was thankful for Chloe keeping her warm.

"Cute? I'm not cute." She yawned, stretching her arms out. "I'm dangerous, baby. I'm a wolf." She leant forward, playfully biting at Max.

"You're a puppy." Max giggled, kissing her nose. Chloe kissed her nose back, and then they were kissing again. She couldn't breathe when they were like this, her heart simultaneously stopped and leapt out of her chest. When Chloe placed a hand on her cheek, Max melted. When her hands went to Max's hips, she felt her insides on fire. When her hands ended up-